How to Storm Shelter Inspection

Tornadoes can strike with as little as 15 minutes warning, making a ready-to-use shelter essential for survival. This inspection ensures your storm shelter or safe room is structurally sound, accessible, and stocked with emergency supplies. You'll check the shelter structure for cracks or damage, verify the door opens easily and latches securely from inside, confirm supplies are present and not expired, and practice a family drill. When the sirens sound, you need to reach your shelter in under 60 seconds—there's no time to prepare when a tornado is bearing down.